"State of Mind" is straight forward heavy
metal. There's no better description for it. If you're looking for anything but
that, look elsewhere.

Powered by thundering drum beats, fiery guitars and
soaring vocals, "State of Mind" delivers the goods. Interestingly, it
reminds me somewhat of the heavier songs of Queensryche rather than anything by,
for example, Judas Priest. The songs on "State of Mind" aren't nearly
as complicated as those on "Operation: Mindcrime," but they have that
same feel and drive.

Rival don't break any new ground on "State of
Mind" but we'd be disappointed if they did. It's their straight-forward and
dead-on metal style that's most appealing and they never waiver from it.

If there's any complaint here, it's that the CD only
runs 35 minutes. You just start really getting into it and, suddenly, it's over.
Another song or two would have been ideal.